7 Reasons Not to Miss the 2016 USA Sevens International Rugby Tournament in Las Vegas March 4 – 6

LAS VEGAS – Grab your jackets, jerseys and crazy costumes because the USA Sevens International Rugby Tournament returns to Las Vegas’ Sam Boyd Stadium Friday, March 4 through Sunday, March 6 for three days of intense play. Some of the best rugby players in the world will transform Las Vegas into every sports fanatic’s dream with a week filled with events leading up to the tournament. Here are some reasons you don’t want to miss it:

1. This will be the last chance to catch Olympic rugby players in the United States before they head to Rio de Janeiro for the summer Olympics.

Ever since it was announced that rugby would be added to the 2016 Olympic roster, players from around the world have been gearing up for a chance to play in the historic games. Many national and international players slated to play in Rio de Janeiro will be taking the opportunity to strengthen their game during the USA Sevens tournament in Las Vegas. Fun fact, the last team to win the Gold Medal in rugby was Team USA in 1924.

2. Rugby players will defy gravity while performing some of the wildest rugby tries and takedowns of all time.

It should come as no surprise that rugby has some of the most insane takedowns in sports history. With players speeding across the field to score, the other team has to do anything in their power to stop them from getting into the try zone, resulting in tackles every fan hopes to see while at a game. Even the USA Eagles’ mascot likes to get in on the action.

3. There’s a full week of events, including pep rallies, Parade of Nations, nightly events, a beer festival and more!

During the week leading up to the tournament, dubbed Rugby Week, fans will have the opportunity to see and interact with some of their favorite players at various events across the Strip. Events include an Olympic pep rally, a Parade of Nations with all sixteen countries proceeding down the iconic Fremont Street Experience, autograph sessions, nightly events at top bars and nightclubs and more. For a full list of events, visit the USA Sevens website.

4. You get to see Carlin Isles, the fastest rugby player in the world, blow everyone away with his speed.

Known as the fastest rugby player in the world, you won’t be surprised when you see USA Eagle Carlin Isles speeding across the field, flying by every other player to score. Check out Carlin here.

5. It’s an international celebration. Fans from across the globe come to Las Vegas and create outrageous costumes to support their teams.

The USA Sevens International Rugby Tournament is not only known for its players, but for its fans who go above and beyond to show their support for their teams. Fans travel from all around the world and come together, dressed in jerseys, war paint, costumes and more to experience and celebrate a rugby-filled weekend.

Rugby is often compared to American football, with each sport encompassing fast-paced plays, unbelievable tackles and hardcore fans who are loyal until the end. In fact, many NFL players have gone on to play rugby or vice versa, including Carlin Isles, Jarryd Hayne, Bennie Brazell, Manfred More, Richard Tardits, Nate Ebner, Gary Anderson and Hayden Smith. Though these sports do have their differences, neither rugby nor football fans will be disappointed by these players incredible display of athletic might.

7. You’ll have the opportunity to experience international cultures in Las Vegas like you never have been able to before.

Las Vegas is known for being a melting pot of international cultures coming to experience all the city has to offer, and rugby week is no exception. Sixteen international teams are participating in the tournament, bringing in fans from all around the world to cheer them on. And with the addition of an international food and drink festival to the tournament, fans will have the opportunity to interact with international cultures on and off the field.

The Las Vegas tournament is the fifth event out of ten in the HSBC Sevens World Series. Fans in attendance will see international rugby sevens teams play 45 matches during the three-day competition in an attempt to gain points in the Sevens World Series standings. Played on the same size field as traditional 15-player rugby, rugby sevens is played with seven players per team. Matches have seven minute halves with two minute intervals for pool and knock-out matches. The fast pace and short duration of matches makes every moment of the action thrilling for spectators.

Tickets are available starting at $30 for adults and $15 for youth. To purchase your tickets, visit the USA Sevens website.

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About United World Sports:

United World Sports (UWS) LLC hosts a dynamic line up of emerging sports properties and has quickly become the leader at delivering premier international sports properties to U.S. audiences. UWS’ flagship property is the USA Sevens Rugby Tournament held annually in Las Vegas. This exciting 16-nation, three-day tournament has become the largest attended rugby event in North America with more than 75,000 fans coming to Sam Boyd Stadium. Broadcast live on NBC Sports the tournament serves as the only U.S. stop on a ten-city world tour and reaches more than 400 million television households worldwide. Additional UWS properties include the Las Vegas Invitational, which occurs alongside the USA Sevens and is the largest participatory rugby tournament in the western hemisphere; the America’s Rugby Seven’s Cup; the Penn Mutual College Rugby Championship (CRC); the Penn Mutual Varsity Cup Rugby Championship and the Pro Soccer Challenge.

About USA Sevens Rugby:

The annual USA Sevens international rugby tournament is the premier rugby event in North America as well as the fifth event out of ten in the HSBC Sevens World Series. Fans in attendance will see 16 international rugby sevens teams play 45 matches during a three-day competition in an attempt to gain points in the Sevens World Series standings. Fans can stay updated on all the latest USA Sevens Rugby news, events and details by following on Facebook (USA Sevens Rugby Tournament And Festival), Twitter (@USASevensRugby), Vine (@USASevensRugby) and Instagram (@USASevensRugby).

Played on the same size field as traditional 15-player rugby, rugby sevens is played with just seven players per team. Matches have seven-minute halves with two-minute intervals for pool and knock-out matches. The fast pace and short duration of matches makes every moment of the action thrilling for spectators.